Nick followed the street to where it intersected with Highway 2 and headed back to the bed and breakfast, his feet numb from exposure. A burning sensation, like that of sharp, poker-hot needles, jabbed into his toes. If he didn’t get inside soon, frostbite would follow.
He headed straight for his room, hoping Kat and Mary would be waiting there for him. He slid his key in the lock and flung the door open. The dark room stood empty.
“You didn’t get him, did you?” Kat leaned against a doorjamb down the hall Her arms crossed over her chest.
Nick resisted the urge to look around her for Mary. “I hit him, but it wasn’t enough to take him down. Where’s Mary?”
Kat jerked her head toward Mary’s room across the hall.
“I need to talk to her.” He didn’t really need to talk to her, but something close to an anxiety attack threatened to overwhelm his senses where Mary was concerned.
Nick crossed to Mary’s door.
“She said something about getting a shower.”
Nick pressed an ear to the door and didn’t hear anything. He knocked.
Kat stood by, her brows rising. “I contacted the police about Feegan.”
Nick didn’t respond. He’d give Mary ten seconds more before he broke down the door. Ten...nine...eight...
“The chief said he’d be by after they collected the body and dusted for fingerprints.”
Seven...six...five... His heartbeat ratcheted up another notch. What was keeping her?
“Oh, and Royce called. He wants a status report.”
Four...three... Nick backed up a step, bending at the knee, breathing in, then out. Two...One...
Before he had a chance to cock his leg and slam it into the door, it opened.
Mary stood in the door wrapped in her fluffy pink robe, her face pale, a scrap of paper clutched in one hand, the other arm clamped around her side. “It’s another note from my father.”
Nick wrapped an arm around Mary’s shoulder and led her into the room. Kat followed, closing the door behind her.
“I was about to—to take a shower.” She glanced away. “When I reached into my toiletries kit, I found this.”
Her robe parted at the knee and Nick noted she still wore her snowpants. “You were about to shower?”
“Yes.” She stepped away from him, her gaze darting around the room.
“Without undressing first?” Nick stalked toward her. What wasn’t she telling him?
Mary’s eyes widened and she held the note out in front of her like a shield. “Aren’t you interested in what the note says?”
Kat snatched it. “I am.”
Nick held Mary’s gaze another second, and then he looked down at where her arm clenched around her middle. “What’s wrong with your arm?”
“Nothing.” Mary stepped backward, her back hitting the wall behind her, jolting her elbow. She winced.
“Nothing, huh?” Nick peeled her arm away from her side. Red stained the fluffy pink terrycloth robe.
Kat gasped. “Girl, you’re bleeding.”
Mary gave a very shaky laugh. “It’s just a flesh wound. I’m fine.”
Nick’s lips thinned. The bastard who’d hurt Mary had to die. But first, the wound needed tending. He let go of her arm his fingers going to the opening of her robe. “I’ll bet it hurt to get that shirt off, didn’t it?” He glanced into Mary’s eyes.
